Teen charged with grand theft, other charges | Crime

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PONTE VEDRA, Fla. - A Ponte Vedra teen is facing multiple theft charges and is being held on a $30,000 bond.

An 18-year old St. Johns County man was arrested Monday afternoon in relation to multiple car thefts and burglaries, according to a release from the St John's County Sheriff's Office.

Christian Dae Hartley, is charged with the theft of a 2007 Saab discovered missing by a 61-year old Ponte Vedra Woman on the afternoon of January 1, according to the SJCSO release. The Saab was recovered in a parking lot in the 600 block of Ponte Vedra Blvd. the same evening, with several items reported missing.

Hartley is also accused of taking a 2002 Ford Escape belonging to a 54-year old Ponte Vedra woman on Feb. 4 or 5. The vehicle was also recovered the same day it was taken in a parking lot in the 600 block of Ponte Vedra Blvd. Several items were allegedly missing.

After an investigation by the SJCSO, Hartley was identified and questioned. Hartley initially denied involvement, but later allegedly confessed claiming he was, " 'car hopping' and found the two vehicles unlocked with keys that were located inside the vehicles."

Hartley is currently being held in the St. Johns County Jail in lieu of bonds totaling $30,000 and is facing two counts each of grand theft auto, burglary, and grand theft charges.